overplay
verb
over·play
ˌō-vər-ˈplā 
overplayed; overplaying; overplays
1
a
: to present (a dramatic role) extravagantly : exaggerate
b
: to place too much emphasis on
2
: to rely too much on the strength of
—usually used in the phrase overplay one's hand
3
: to strike a golf ball beyond (a putting green)
: to exaggerate a part or effect
Examples of overplay in a Sentence
The network news overplayed the story just to get good ratings.
He overplayed the death scene.
Recent Examples on the Web
Patel, Bondi and Trump are overplaying their hand, especially as the president’s immigration policy approval keeps dropping amid public outrage over authoritarian assaults on due process and separation of powers.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
But on stage, the sophomoric snaps are overplayed (and fairly raunchy for Indiana high schoolers in the 1950s); the energy is replaced by speed; and the emotions are always fraught.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
Perhaps the Administration became impatient with the university and, as a result, overplayed its hand.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2025
The Lakers set up a similar alignment on their next possession, but Brooks overplayed the screen Reaves was setting for James by turning his body parallel to the baseline between James and Reaves.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
But on stage, the sophomoric snaps are overplayed (and fairly raunchy for Indiana high schoolers in the 1950s); the energy is replaced by speed; and the emotions are always fraught.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
Perhaps the Administration became impatient with the university and, as a result, overplayed its hand.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2025
The Lakers set up a similar alignment on their next possession, but Brooks overplayed the screen Reaves was setting for James by turning his body parallel to the baseline between James and Reaves.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overplay
Cite this Entry
“Overplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overplay. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overplay
verb
over·play
ˌō-vər-ˈplā
1
: exaggerate, overemphasize
newspapers overplayed the story
2
: to rely too much on the strength of
overplayed my hand and lost
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